UNION MONDIALE DES ANCIEN(NE)S ELÈVES DE LA COMPAGNIE DE JÉSUS WORLD UNION OF JESUIT ALUMNI/AE UNION MUNDIAL DE LOS ANTIGUOS ALUMNOS DE LA COMPAÑÍA DE JESÚS ENSEMBLE TOGETHER CONCORDES SYDNEY, NSW, AUSTRALIA DECEMBER 2007

Visit to Africa by Fr Pierre Salembier SJ In March 2007, Father General’s Delegate to the World Union of Jesuit Alumni/ae (WUJA) visited African countries to prepare for the Pan-African Meeting to be held in Nairobi, Kenya in September 2007. His report follows.

(Fr Salembier’s trip took place before the decision to move the location of the 2009 Congress from Yaoundé to Bujumbura.) The prospect of a in question during congress of the Jesuit a conversation with Alumni World Union our Father General. in Africa constitutes My journey, which a particular challenge. took place during Indeed, this continent March 2007, began has no tradition with a preparatory of international visit to the theology gatherings of alumni. faculty of Hekima Certainly, in 1995, the College in Nairobi Libermann school’s to verify the old boys took the feasibility of such a initiative of a first meeting. Once this African congress was confirmed, the which included the executive committee Cameroonese with of the WUJA decided some representatives to hold the meeting of the Democratic on September 14–16, Republic of Congo 2007. and of Madagascar I stopped next in but this meeting Douala to meet with concerned only This painting entitled ‘Resurrection’ in on the altar wall of the Chapel of Hekima College, Nairobi the steering committee French-speaking in Kenya. It was painted according to drawings by Fr Engelbert Mveng, a Cameroonian Jesuit, of the Congress and to Africa. So with who was an inspired historian, archaeologist and artist. meet those in charge the view that the of the University of 2009 World Congress of Yaounde be really an ‘African’ event, it Central Africa in Yaounde where the Congress will be held. was necessary to get in touch with all the Jesuit schools of Africa, I then went on to get in touch with the Jesuits in charge of the English-speaking as well as French-speaking, and to bring alumni of all new province of Northwest Africa, consisting of Nigeria and Ghana. these schools to meet and to commit to take part in the preparation of Nigeria already possesses an alumni association, with Sina Buraimoh such a congress. Ademuyewo as the representative on the WUJA Council. But it was To organize this meeting, we first had to find a place accessible necessary to wait until 1995 for the first school to be founded by to all the concerned countries of Africa, without forgetting the Jesuits, about 10 kilometres from the centre of Abuja, the new Madagascar. Considering available communication networks, administrative capital of Nigeria. A very recent school, which was Nairobi was quickly considered as the best meeting place. It turns upset on December 10, 2005 by the terrible tragedy of a plane crash out that this is where the Jesuits have founded the Hekima College, that cost the lives of 60 pupils who had left for Christmas holidays. the faculty of English-speaking theology. This school offered an From Nigeria, I went to Kinshasa. The difficulties of ideal meeting location. communication between these two countries considerably shortened The World Union maintains contacts with certain African schools, the duration of my stay. Nevertheless the day spent in Boboto such as in Douala, site of the next congress, also the school from and prepared by Fr André Cnockaert SJ, the spiritual counsellor Boboto in Kinshasa, the Alfajiri school in Bukavu (RDC) or others, of the Jesuit Alumni Federation of the DRC, allowed me to meet like the St Esprit College in Bujumbura (Burundi), the St Georges the vice-chancellors of schools, as well as a significant group of school in Harare (Zimbabwe). However, the alumni of the other alumni from the various schools of the region of Kinshasa. Geronce schools of Africa have never participated in any international Balegamire, the president of the alumni association of Alfajiri congress of alumni and some of them, whose foundation is still (Bukavu), also participated in this meeting. During the meeting, recent, as yet have not formally established alumni associations. it was underlined that an alumni delegation from the DRC’s schools That’s why it was necessary to go on location and get in touch must be put together to participate in the Nairobi meeting and with those in charge of these schools to see how they could be that had to be done in full agreement with the Society of Jesus, represented to the next African congress and participate in its represented by Fr André Cnockaert. preparation. This is what brought me to decide to tour the schools continued on page 2

Editor: Robyn Treseder Tel/Fax: + 61 2 9958 2340 Email: [email protected] E NSEMBLE T OGETHERTOGETHER CONCORDES CONCORDES

Editorial Visit to Africa continued from page 1 I regretted leaving Kinshasa so quickly after these meetings Bienvenue but events which took place in Kinshasa would have made the Welcome continuation of my journey in this country much more Fr Pierre Salembier SJ Bienvenido uncertain. Immediately following my departure, a confrontation between the presidential Thank you for the response to the April edition of Ensemble Together guard and the armed forces in the service of the Concordes (ETC). political opponent, M Bemba, who had lost presidential Contact came from Germany, Canada, Democratic Republic of Congo, Spain elections, took place in the district where the Boboto and several countries in Latin America, some requesting ETC in an electronic form School is located. The school fortunately suffered no casualties but underwent a raid by about 15 policemen so that they could on-send it to their association’s members. The result is that ETC who took the pupils hostage for some hours during has been emailed as a PDF file to those who requested it, for either printing and which time some of them were beaten up. posting or to be sent electronically. I am delighted! In the meantime, I flew towards Zambia. The Because of cost restrictions our mailing list is limited, but with this kind of Society of Jesus has run a school there for a long time, enthusiasm and assistance, ETC, with its news of the World Union of Jesuit in Chikuni Mission, some three hours by road from Alumni/ae (WUJA) and Jesuit Alumni/ae Associations, will reach a much broader the capital Lusaka. But this school has never had an alumni association. My talks with the Father Superior base. I hope that this edition will generate more interest and more requests for an of the community as well as with the lay director of ETC file in your language choice of English, French or Spanish, so that more the school left me with hope that the prospect of the associations around the world will follow this trend and promote the WUJA. By Congress will give the opportunity to create such an supplying it I will keep track of where extra copies are reaching, so please contact association and to send some representatives of the old me, I will be only too happy to respond. boys of this school to the Congress. Of course, ETC is included by web-master, Mario Soavi on the website of the Finally, I ended my trip in Zimbabwe where the Society of Jesus has been involved in the schools’ WUJA www.jesuitalumni.org– please visit this site for more information on apostolic mission for a long time. St Georges College WUJA, its history and very soon, the next World Congress of Jesuit Alumni/ae. possesses a solid alumni association, which supports In July 2008, World Youth Day will be held in my home city of Sydney, its school and has already participated in several Australia– MAGiS08 is the Ignatian Program for World Youth Day. It takes its WUJA congresses. St Ignatius College, situated in the name from Magis the Latin word for more and is used to describe ‘seeking more of countryside surrounding Harare, is also a beautiful what God wants for us’. boarding school, which enjoys a strong reputation. Regrettably, both schools, because of the soaring MAGiS08 invites young people aged from 18 to 30 to join together on a devaluation occurring in the past several years in journey with those of a like mind and heart from different countries, cultures and Zimbabwe, are facing extreme economic difficulties. languages, to explore and to share their experiences in an Ignatian context fostering Naturally, within one month, I was not able to ‘a faith that does justice’. visit all the Jesuit schools in Africa, but the World This is an ideal event for young Jesuit alumni/ae and likeminded friends Union Council was able to contact former students worldwide to plan to attend. Please see page 8 and visit the website of the other schools of Africa by mail. And so, on the initiative of the association of the Dar es Salaam www.magis08.org for more information. school, the president of the association recently The following year in July 2009, the World Congress of Jesuit Alumni/ae became a member of the WUJA and has registered for is to be held in Africa, to which all Jesuit alumni/ae are invited to attend. To quote the Nairobi meeting. Fr Pierre Salembier SJ, (ETC – April 2007) … “During its last General We hope also for participation from the alumni of Congregation the Society of Jesus decided to make Africa one of its priorities. Charles Lwanga College, a secondary school in Sarh, We hope that this event will provide the opportunity for the Alumni from the various Chad. There is a group of alumni from this school in Yaounde and another one in Paris. That should countries of Africa to establish contacts and to begin collaborating together. We facilitate contacts. The St Esprit College in Bujumbura, also hope that Alumni/ae from the rest of the world bearing interest and concern that Eric de Langsdorff and myself visited in November for Africa, and those who have some experience of Africa, will find in this African 2005, will be represented in Nairobi by its president. World Congress, a privileged place for exchanges and sharing.” The uncertainty of representative participation from Please plan ahead to attend this important World Congress of Jesuit Alumni/ae. the schools in Madagascar still remains, but it is to be God bless, hoped that they will want to be active participants in Robyn Treseder this event. Now, the Nairobi meeting is approaching. Editor – Ensemble Together Concordes We hope that it will be a decisive step in the Council Member – Oceania preparation of this Congress and we shall give you a World Union of Jesuit Alumni/ae report of it in the next ETC issue. Email: [email protected] My sincere thanks go to Eric de Langsdorff and Frederic Buxtorf for the French, and Fr Pierre Salembier SJ Cécile Launay for the Spanish translations and proof reading for ETC. Grateful thanks Delegate of Father General also go to proof reader Sr Josepha Clancy CSJ for English. Ed.

2 Vol. XX No. 3 President’s letter A crucial meeting of the World Union of Jesuit Alumni/ae Fellow Alumni/ae in Nairobi, Kenya We live in a world in which natural disasters frequently occur. As I sit writing this Bernard Thompson message it is the horrifying floods in Mexico, which have captured the headlines and our thoughts and prayers are with the unfortunate victims. Whilst we can only have a limited influence over nature, we can try to exert more influence over the actions of the politicians of the Delegates at the Nairobi meeting. WUJA delegates included Géronce Balegamire, world. As if natural disasters were not enough, François-Xavier Camenen, Pierre Salembier SJ, Peter Wong, Bernard Thompson, our politicians, from both democratic and Sina Buraimoh Ademuyewo, Tom Bausch and Eric de Langsdorff (Arrupe). non-democratic countries seem determined to create more suffering in the world and claim From September 14 to 16, the Council of the World Union of Jesuit Alumni/ae that it is for our benefit. met in Nairobi together with delegates of most African alumni associations. In spite of this we are nonetheless in a period This was the first council meeting in Africa and indeed a crucial one. of celebration. Last year the World Union Participants were hosted by Hekima College, the Jesuit Theological celebrated 50 years of existence. This year School for English-speaking Africa, a very nice place in the suburbs of November 14 is the 100th anniversary of the birth Nairobi. We enjoyed the warm hospitality of the rector, Fr Orobator SJ, and of Fr Pedro Arrupe SJ, the Superior General of the of the minister, Br Byebalilo SJ. We had every help and facility for our work Society from 1965 to 1983. and were very glad to meet a number of young Jesuit students and to share Fr Arrupe was a major influence in the religious services with them in the beautiful chapel decorated with the famous formation of the World Union of Jesuit Alumni/ae and Way of the Cross drawn by Fr Engelbert Mveng, a Cameroonian Jesuit artist. his successor Fr Kolvenbach has continued to The two days were mainly filled with the meetings, between members have a major influence on its ongoing existence. of the Council and African delegates, devoted to the preparation of the 2009 It is therefore very natural that we should offer Congress. It was the first time that African alumni had such a representative Fr Kolvenbach our sincere gratitude for all that gathering where both French-speaking and English-speaking countries were he has done to support our efforts and to wish largely represented, by delegates of alumni associations as well as by Jesuit the Society well for a successful outcome for the Fathers. These countries were Burundi, Congo (Democratic Republic), forthcoming General Congregation. Nigeria, Tanzania, Zambia and Zimbabwe, with the most welcome presence In the last edition of ETC you will recall that of Jesuit Frs Guillaume Ndayishimiye (Burundi), André Cnockaert and we spoke of two major events, which were being Hubert Mvula (Congo), Kevin Odey (Nigeria) and Dhanapalan Rayar planned. The Latin American Confederation Congress (Zambia). Fr Etienne Triaille, secretary of Fr Fratern Masawe (president was to have been held in November 2007. The of the conference of African Provincials) was also present. All these organising committee decided that it would delegations described the history and present situation of their schools prefer to delay the Congress by one year to and associations, which led to a very rich and moving exchange of views. enable it to focus on the outcomes of the General Unfortunately Cameroon, Chad and Madagascar were not represented. Congregation and it will now be held in 2008. The meeting devoted much time to discussing all the important aspects Our own World Union Congress has also had to of the 2009 Congress: suitable dates, wording of the theme, basic structure be changed but for different reasons. The original of the program, method of choice of speakers and witnesses, method of plan was to hold it in Cameroon in 2009, but due registration, timetable of preparation. to organisational difficulties this plan has had to The major problem was the absence of Cameroonians, whereas Cameroon be terminated. The representatives from all the African Countries present at the pan-African Mass in the Chapel of Hekima College. meeting held in Nairobi in September were determined that the World Union Congress should still be held in Africa and were unanimous in their decision to put forward the proposal that it be held in Bujumbura in Burundi as an alternative. This proposal has been accepted. A report of this landmark meeting in Nairobi appears elsewhere in this magazine. May I finally ask you all to join your prayers with mine for all the victims of injustice and for those who are victims of natural disaster?

Bernard Thompson President – World Union of Jesuit Alumni/ae continued next page

December 2007 3 E NSEMBLE TOGETHER CONCORDES continued from previous page European Co Report of the F The National Federation Committee held their second meeting

Nkunga Ellis Pendo, François-Xavier Camenen, Sina Buraimoh Ademuyewo, Janet Namara Gabone and Pierre Salembier SJ. had been, since the Calcutta Congress, the country chosen to host the congress. This absence, at this crucial meeting intended to examine all the important aspects of the organisation of the congress, created doubts on the ability of the country to meet the conditions of success of the congress. This led to the Council requesting African delegates to consider three possible solutions: 1) to continue to support the pan-team in Cameroon in organising the Congress; 2) to consider changing places with Latin America on the current rota; or 3) to agree on an alternative location in Africa which could meet the requirements of the World Union. After a discussion of some two hours the pan-African delegates unanimously requested the Council to accept a proposal to hold the congress in Burundi. This proposal was endorsed by the Council, which held a formal meeting at the end of the session and took a number of other decisions regarding the congress. Delegates at the Frankfurt meeting.

St Aloysius Gonzaga Secondary School, Kibera Train strikes in France regrettably prevented some of us getting to Frankfurt at the last minute, as we had intended. This was the case for Fr Pierre Salembier SJ, spiritual counsellor for the European Confederation and for our friend Serge Delair. Happily, almost all European Confederation Union member presidents or their representatives (14 out of 15) were present at the meeting; we learned that Germany and France had elected new presidents, and Fr Maurice Pilette SJ, spiritual counsellor for the Southern Belgium Federation, let it be known that he was to be succeeded by Fr Michel Gilson SJ. At the Paris meeting, and further to a very detailed report concerning young During their stay in Nairobi, members of the people, from the young vice-president of the Confederation, Nomeda Myselite of Council visited St Aloysius Gonzaga Secondary Lithuania, a decision was made to invite more young people from our European School. It is situated at the outskirts of Nairobi, member countries to take part in the Frankfurt meeting. This objective was in the Kibera slum, the biggest in Africa with a reached: actually, there were more than 15 young people from Belgium, Hungary, population of some 800,000 people. Created by Italy, Lithuania, Spain and Switzerland, who met in Frankfurt with the presidents a Jesuit Father, it is a school for AIDS orphans of their respective Federations, at the Jesuit university centre of Saint Georgen. We who live in the slum. It was really striking to were delighted by the attendance of this young group because the future dynamism see the good behaviour of these children, all in of our Confederation is greatly dependent on the presence, or not, of young uniform, with their extreme dedication to studies, alumni/ae from our schools. They wished to have time to meet among themselves, even though they have very poor classrooms and in order to get to know each other better. They expressed the following two wishes school equipment and live in a harsh environment at the final session: to establish their own network of exchanges by way of the – a lesson for school children of affluent countries internet and help prepare the future World Union Congress, which will take place whose behaviour is sometimes not in tune with in Burundi in July, 2009 with a service experiment in Africa. the facilities they enjoy. During this meeting, the National Federation Presidents gave a report on their main activities since the last meeting and informed the group of their immediate François-Xavier Camenen – Secretary projects. It is to be noted that three countries are going to organize events around World Union of Jesuit Alumni/ae the question of education, which is certainly going to generate a synergy between

4 Vol. XX No. 2 onfederation of Jesuit Alumni/ae Frankfurt Meeting – October 2007 Presidents, who are members of the European Confederation, of 2007 in Frankfurt, Germany, on October 20–21

them. Following a suggestion from the German representative, the National Federations for funds, which are intended to give to the Committee gave its agreement in principle to support a European Confederation the means to operate during the upcoming two years. Education Project through training for young people. (Obtaining The spiritual dimension of our meeting was not forgotten and European funds for this program actually must involve eight began with a reading of messages sent to the laymen and to the European countries). young people by Father General (who is almost at the term of his The six members of the board also reported on their major mandate). (These messages were taken from an interview in the European actions since the Paris meeting which included the September 2007 issue of the magazine from a French school.) sending of European Confederation ‘postulates’ to the future Jesuit It continued with a Mass celebrated in the Liebfrauen Church, General Congregation and following up on updating the statutes where we heard a moving homily from Fr Luk Arts (spiritual (in collaboration with lawyers from Belgium). Also, contacts have advisor of North Belgium Federation) calling for a return to the been made (or are in the process of being set up) with those in basic Christian vocation of love and service. charge of various European Jesuit networks, for example, InYgo We could not leave Frankfurt without visiting the magnificent International, JRS Europe or the Javier Solidarity Network, the idea and grand room of the Emperors in the historic city hall. The being that these initiatives are to promote more European alumni/ae program for the visit added a cultural dimension to this meeting co-workers or associates (the appropriate formula to be clarified for us and the companions, thanks to the perfect organization by in each case) for the missions of these networks and to allow the past German Federation president, Hermann von Braunmühl the European Confederation to improve its European visibility, and of the European Confederation secretary, Bernard Kottrup. representativeness and efficiency. We did not forget either that it was in Frankfurt in 1953 that several pioneers, convinced of the European dimension of the alumni action, held a preparatory meeting, which then gave birth, a year later, to the creation of the European Confederation. The first Committee of the Presidents meeting in 2008 will be held the first weekend in March in Turin (Italy), where we hope to give a more concrete report on the progress of the work with young people and the collaborative efforts with the Society of Jesus through its different European apostolic networks. Meanwhile, the General Congregation of the Society of Jesus will be held in January 2008, for the spiritual success of which our Committee prayed during its ever so friendly meeting in Frankfurt.

Eric de Langsdorff President–European Confederation of Jesuit Alumni/ae Paris–November 6, 2007

Young alumni/ae from member countries attending the European Confederation Meeting.

The president has also reported on the meeting just held in September 2007 in Nairobi, (Kenya), with members of the World Union of Jesuit Alumni/ae, president (Bernard Thompson), secretary (François-Xavier Camenen) and Fr Pierre Salembier SJ, Father General’s delegate to the World Union, with alumni/ae and Jesuit delegates from the different Provinces of Africa, in order to launch effectively the preparation of the next World Congress due to be held in Africa in July 2009. He also evoked the circumstances which led to the change of location for the Congress and indicated that it will take place July 23–27, 2009 in Bujumbura (Burundi). The members of the Executive Committee present in Nairobi unanimously ratified this proposal submitted by the African country delegations. Then, the treasurer gave a report on his financial management over the past two years and issued the traditional appeal to the Alumni/ae and families visit the Emperor’s Room at city hall, Frankfurt.

December 2007 5 E NSEMBLE TOGETHER CONCORDES

AN UNFORGETTABLE EXPERIENCE FOR YOUNG ALUMNI/AE FROM SPAIN AND INDIA

The Exchange Program involving Spanish and Indian alumni/ae arose school for children with special educational needs, problems and from the good relations formed between the Federations of both mental disorders. They have great willpower and courage to daily help countries at the World Union of Jesuit Alumni/ae Congress, held in children, who need constant attention. It was the hardest moment for January 2003, in Kolkata, India. It was seen as an opportunity for a some of us, to see children, who aren’t aware of the surrounding world, group of young alumni/ae to experience a new reality in a far away yet have quality of life. At least other children we met in the schools, country, to be sensitive to and to convey to others, those experiences. although in basic conditions, had access to education. They could The main idea being that these experiences could be useful in their play and interact with other children and, most importantly, they will development as men and women for others and to pass on the values be able to go out and know the world. As always, every experience is gained, to other young alumni/ae. useful, but this was the hardest. Every night we met with people from the alumni associations of Kolkata, New Delhi and others in the India Federation. They organized everything for our stay and we have a lot for which to thank them. Their invitations to dinners in their homes, to know Indian culture and to see the city from this other more privileged point of view, were an honor for us. They also had us participate in a traditional Indian wedding and made us Indian clothes. Their work and dedication to us, together with their continuous care, and the young alumni/ae who accompanied us day and night, made our stay there very comfortable and very special. Thank you very much.

The visiting Spanish alumni/ae with their Indian hosts – March 2007

In March this year, a group of 10 alumni/ae from different associations (Gijón, Oviedo, Barcelona and Madrid) left for Kolkata. We wanted to know and learn the reality of India, a country with dramatic social inequalities, to live with Indian alumni/ae and to create a stable and combined working group to give continuity to the project. We visited many schools for underprivileged children. Being with them was always very easy and we were pleased that they were so glad and happy with our company. When we arrived, they took our hands and showed us all the areas: the rooms where they slept, the few books where they learnt reading and writing, the classes, most of them just with just a blackboard and a chair for the teacher, and the vegetable garden, where they worked every day. We played with them, sang classic songs, danced and, above all, we enjoyed each other and smiled a lot. It was amazing to see the smiles of the children Alfonso Ruiz de Eguino with a teacher and children at the school for and how happy they were. The pleasure they experienced by showing children with special needs situated on the outskirts of Kolkata. us everything, by being with us and having fun, made me feel full of joy and really satisfied. What really surprised me was how happy people were in India. An obligatory visit in the city is the Mother Teresa House. Some of Here in Spain, we live always in a hurry, constantly dealing with us took part in the morning Mass with the Missionary Sisters of Charity many small problems. Over there they are happy with the fact for missionaries who work in the area. Later we had a simple breakfast of living and they are always smiling, whatever the social status. that the nuns prepared with much love. A lot of young people from We spent the nights in a Jesuit’s residence in the poorest region around the world meet there every morning with just one purpose, to of Kolkata, with people around us living in the street, without help underprivileged people. In that time spent with so many different anything, sleeping on the floor and washing in the water of the people, but with so much in common, our hearts were overcome with drain, in inhuman conditions, but they were happy because they emotion and a special feeling went through our body. were alive. They enjoyed so much having photographs taken with us One of their missions is an old people’s home: an oasis of peace and shaking hands. Now I really understand that Kolkata is the City and calm in the middle of a city with so much noise in the streets. of Joy because in spite of being a place with extreme poverty, people Everything was cared for and clean. We were talking with some of are happy with what they have and they know how to value the gift them, and others sang us songs from their childhood. It was wonderful of the life. Unforgettable. to see the inner power that most of them still had despite suffering Alfonso Ruiz de Eguino so many problems, miseries and political changes during their lives. Asociación de Antiguos Alumnos del Colegio Another of the Sisters’ missions is in the outskirts of Kolkata. It is a de la Inmaculada de Gijón, Spain

6 Vol. XX No. 2 FR TOM SMOLICH SJ, PRESIDENT, CONFERENCE OF JESUIT PROVINCIALS OF USA, SPOKE ON PARTNERSHIP AT THE MEETING OF WORLD UNION OF JESUIT ALUMNI/AE WITH THE LATIN AMERICAN AND US JESUIT ALUMNI/AE ASSOCIATIONS HELD IN MIAMI, USA–NOVEMBER 2006 Tom Smolich SJ His address was based on the Preliminary Report of the Partnership Commission to the Jesuit Conference Board USA–October 11, 2006. This is an edited version of that report.

Partnership in Mission the Parish Councils of Jesuit parishes; people who serve in Jesuit sponsored parishes, From the very beginning of their ministry, Ignatius and retreat centers, missions, schools and on the province staff; but also benefactors, his first companions relied on partnership with lay men alumni, parents, middle school, high school, undergraduate and professional students, and women, and vowed religious, to accomplish his parishioners, and spiritual directors.” mission of helping souls. Throughout their history, Jesuit and lay colleagues have recognized that diverse and Ignatian Partners complementary gifts are required to ensure the success of All partners in Jesuit ministries share a mutual relationship shaped by the Ignatian their apostolic endeavors. charism for apostolic mission in which each brings the particular gifts of his or her Over time, the Society of Jesus has come to see partnership vocation to the relationship. While all partnerships between and among Jesuits and not simply as a practical necessity for a particular time and their lay colleagues are to be honored and supported, what follows is an explication of place, but as an essential component of the Ignatian work a particular level of partnership, what might be called Ignatian Partnership. itself. In a talk at Creighton University (July 2004) Fr Peter- Ignatian Partners may be described as those men and women, Jesuit and lay, who Hans Kolvenbach said, “Partnership and co-operation with are central to the mission of a Jesuit work and exercise animator leadership within that others in ministry is not a pragmatic strategy resulting particular ministry. They also have internalized the Ignatian charism, and have an ever from diminished manpower; it is an essential dimension deepening desire for and appreciation of the graces of the Spiritual Exercises. Further, of the contemporary Jesuit way of proceeding, rooted in these partners share responsibility for the work of their ministry and see their effort as a the realization that to prepare our complex and divided vocation called forth by God. world for the coming of the Kingdom requires a plurality of gifts, perspectives, and experiences, both international and Why Partnership today? multicultural.” It has become increasingly clear that to better serve the Church and its mission in In a real sense, anyone who participates in and contributes today’s world, working in partnership is not only a preference but also a necessity. to the success of a Jesuit-sponsored ministry can be considered Working in partnership makes more widely available the multitude of skills, gifts and as being in partnership with the Society. As Fr Peter-Hans experiences possessed by the people of God. The support and encouragement of Kolvenbach explicitly noted: “Among the lay people, our partners can also increase the number and effectiveness of ministers as women and partners in ministry, there is a rich variety of lay women men live out their baptismal call. The values of partnering can model relationships and men called to holiness precisely as lay people, called that promote inter-religious and intercultural dialogue and advance healing and to be the leaven of God’s salvation in the world. They are reconciliation within the Church. Partnership also enhances our ability to accompany, members of the boards of Jesuit institutions and members of serve and empower people suffering from entrenched poverty.

The Pedro Arrupe World Association

1. Brief report (1991–2006) 2. In 2007, a new program in Africa with the African Jesuit AIDS Network (AJAN) From 1991 to late 2006, the Association collected 204,789 “The African Jesuit AIDS Network has been able to strengthen and coordinate Euros (which represents about $US250,000); it supported the efforts of many individuals, give respectability to the Church’s involvement 48 programs, for a total amount of 168,195 Euros. in resisting the pandemic spread of AIDS and, above all, accompany with These 48 programs are broken down as follows: dignity many of those suffering from its effects.” Rev Fr Peter-Hans Kolvenbach • 14 in Africa (Burkina Faso, Cameroon, the Ivory Coast, SJ, Superior General, January 2007. (From Linked for Life issued in July 2007 by Madagascar, the Democratic Republic of Congo, Rwanda, AJAN) Chad, Zambia), 19 in Europe (Albania, Bosnia, France, Kosovo, Poland, Portugal, Romania), 2 in the Middle East (Lebanon), 3 in America (Bolivia, Guatemala), 10 in Asia (Cambodia, India, A first financial donation of 3.500 Euros was given to Fr Michael Czerny SJ, Indonesia, Nepal, Sri Lanka). the African Jesuit Aids Network (AJAN) coordinator, to be allocated to a • 47% of the funds were distributed in programs in Africa, socio-educational program in favour of young people whose families are affected 26% in Europe, 23% in Asia, 2% in America and 2% in the by AIDS. Middle East. Laurent Grégoire and Eric de Langsdorff • 56% of the funds were allocated to humanitarian and socio- Vice-Presidents – Pedro Arrupe World Association educational programs, 31% to the human and spiritual training November 6, 2007 of young people, 10% to help alumni from underdeveloped Banking references of the Pedro Arrupe World Association countries attend the World Congresses (one of the objectives (For the payment in US dollars or Euros): of the Association), 3% for other development projects. Bank: ING, 52 route d’Esch L–2965 Luxembourg • 73% of the funds were allotted to Jesuit projects (of which Account: Association Mondiale Pedro Arrupe 42% for JRS and 31% for other projects) and 27% for projects Iban number: LU26 0141 1263 6480 0000 set up by alumni or their associations. Swift call: CELLLULL

December 2007 7 E NSEMBLE TOGETHER CONCORDES

In July 2008, World Youth Day will be held in Sydney, Australia. MAGiS08 is the Ignatian Program for World Youth Day.

What is MAGiS? agis is Latin for more. It means seeking more of what God wants When we are attentive to the gifts in our daily lives we come to see Mfor us. how God is shaping MAGiS even down to the smallest of details. I can Each of us is at a different place in our search for, or journey think of many examples of this shaping: in the unexpected visitor that with God. The MAGiS08 programs offer a stepping-stone on your drops into the office and expresses a desire to be involved in the project journey. MAGiS08 is about discovering and living your heart’s right at the time we are in need of their particular skills; in the clarity deepest desire and God’s dream for us that leads to the greater good. that comes in a moment after months of struggling with a particular Discovering what MAGiS means is to discover through your life part of the project. experiences what leads you to freedom, your true self and a deeper MAGiS08 is a mystery to be unraveled not a just a plan to be relationship with God. executed. It is becoming increasingly clear that if MAGiS08 is to be of MAGiS offers experiences in the tradition of St Ignatius that engage value to young adults, the Ignatian community, the Church and in fact young adults who are open to explore and serve our world. St Ignatius the world, we need more people who are willing to discover how they of Loyola used the word magis to talk about our quest for the greater can contribute to unlocking the mystery of MAGiS08.” good, always striving for the greater glory of God. We use magis to Jenni Winters describe, seeking more of what God wants for us. MAGiS accompanies young MAGiS08 Formation Director adults as they discover their identity in their work, at home, and in relationship with others. MAGiS08 will help young people from around the world reflect St Ignatius of Loyola was a Spanish soldier from the 16th century on their World Youth Day experience. It will allow them to meet whose life experiences of spiritual conversion led him to discover what poor and marginalized people. We hope that as they read their we now call Ignatian spirituality. He gave us a way of looking at the world own hearts and see the world in a new way, they will deepen through the eyes of Jesus to help us make decisions about our lives and their relationship with God. This was the way of Ignatius of Loyola. our place in the world. Ignatius used the word magis to always urge us to search, strive, love, live and struggle more. To young people who are planning to attend World Youth Day in Sydney, Australia in July 2008: We invite you to explore the possibilities that Ignatian spirituality offers. MAGiS programs We hope that you will deepen your faith and commitment to justice. MAGiS programs take place in many countries. The Australian We hope that you will share your talents with young people from MAGiS community, which includes several Jesuits and has the strong many cultures. support of Australian Provincial, Fr Mark Raper SJ, is now developing We hope that you will read more online about the MAGiS programs. its programs under the headings of Spirituality, Companionship and Service. MAGiS is an initiative of the Loreto Sisters (IBVM), the Faithful For information on MAGiS08 and on how to sponsor a delegate to attend Companions of Jesus (FCJ), the Sacre Coeur Sisters (RSCJ), the Sisters MAGiS08 go to: www.magis08.org of Charity (RSC), and the Society of Jesus (SJ) to connect with young adults from around the world who are beyond school and looking for more in their lives from a faith that does justice. MAGiS08 is the MAGiS program for World Youth Day in July 2008 that builds on previous Ignatian programs at WYDs in Paris, Rome, Toronto and Cologne (MAGiS05). This program offers a series of gatherings focused on making the World Youth Day experience more personal and yet, more for others. MAGiS08 puts an emphasis on our spirituality and life. At the MAGiS08 offi ce “Here at the MAGiS office (the place that some of my friends have teasingly named ‘the centre of the universe!’), we are busily preparing and planning for MAGiS08. Our daily lives consist of meetings, emails, 12:10 pm Mass, project spreadsheets and of course the famous MAGiS lunch – ham, cheese and tomato sandwiches! Interwoven, however, in the monotony of daily living and our humble efforts to construct the frame of MAGiS08, we are often gifted with a glimpse into the mystery that is MAGiS. It is a mystery that invites us to acknowledge our efforts are but one thread, in the tapestry of God’s faithfulness and desire to be in relationship with Sydney Australia people of all generations, cultures and times.

Design: Maggie Power Jesuit Communications PO Box 553 Richmond Victoria 3121